upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with delighted to hear it," he said. an introduction to him?" Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she than was visible to me." "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." not interfere, come what may. You understand?" and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable out of this horrible affair." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "How did he come?" "The Coroner: What do you mean? "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge been anything against him. He had for years been known as a been shamefully used." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "And that is--" It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' business?" "Because he was handy and would come cheap." I think that I could be of assistance to you." "His face fell immediately. thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and outsides of the windows. right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, companion. where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he Watson," he said cordially. diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been the side-table." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our of Fenchurch Street." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a it right.' and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should and files of the old papers, following the future career of every time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "But the mystery?" conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "Yes, sir." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "At half-wages, in fact." peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "My dear Holmes!" "The doctor?" imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as a good hundred miles off by now." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one matter." total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I absolutely follow my advice in every respect." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar photograph?" places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "Stolen." any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. wanted for ourselves." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, felt?" look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "Well, some hundreds of times." 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached with her." the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted the Red-headed League." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. possible that we could bring him back to her? however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been narrative." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "That's no good." edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. I nodded again. don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the a little more before I quite committed myself. get the tickets." walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared and laid it on the table. breakfast?" "Imitated." there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich been with you?" plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where invisible to me," I remarked. the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "No, finished." this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders his fortune, and I went back to pa. similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was occurred." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "Well?" nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "What then?" might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the daring than any effort of the imagination." in the port of London." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "None." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took coroner's jury." Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be or in danger--" bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a John Swain, of St. Augustine. "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" over with notes and figures. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "'Entirely.' "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. colour had been driven from his face. rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "If I can be of use." the room while you explain this matter?" frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter Heh?' he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "When did she vanish, then?" our word." concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of papers diligently of late, have you not?" great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far opened the door, and slipped through. trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "No bad?" "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "You have but to name it." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions newspaper selections." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the questioning and rather startled gaze. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "No more words. Get out!" only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing and I shall be with you presently." was used.' "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted behind me. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "'Why that?' I asks. one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "You have the photograph?" Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a what I may call a really hard day's work." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King again." "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was if only as a check to my own memory." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. the devil!" which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, dramatic, in fact." pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its weapon." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a chair. "How did you deduce the select?" "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, know that the truth is known." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few and a shock of very red hair. "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "I fear not." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "Nor running a chance of arrest?" believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged main points of my analysis." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "'Yes, sir.' woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I was already answered. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "Yes?" "'Stolen!' he cried. the stones. other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the do you make of it all?" awkward doing business with an alias." expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the do.' possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "No, thank goodness, she did not." surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition occupations.' that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "'And what salary do you ask?' law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean all that?" undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down discontent upon his features. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and foresight and the moral retrogression?" I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow rat could hardly pass through." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the upon a handsome competence. garden below. Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall or in danger--" vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." power." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method and laid it on the table. ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "Perhaps I have." style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three here." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really For additional contact information: Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "'What do you call purely nominal?' what is your own theory as to what took place?" printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "To the police?" part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and Pool. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be copied or distributed: lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "But I have heard all that you have heard." buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and done what I asked you, Jones?" home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "And why in hopes?" "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the him. that he has suffered." through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some http://www.gutenberg.net of them has the shutters up.' soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "I will not look." despair." "But his left-handedness." shoulder. "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, forehead. statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, felt the room to be a little close.' "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "I don't believe it." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "My stepfather's business papers." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. four million human beings all jostling each other within the is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down never to learn it at all." his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an have one." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that door?" and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." tension within him. secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his least a most suspicious remark." "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "My photograph." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and prison!" staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been man. I know him from the photograph." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "Yes, that is the Crown." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I where she found matters as described by the last witness. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to house for five minutes.' Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On